Proving (n+1) Sum of Squares with Induction

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The discussion centers on proving by induction that the sum of the first n squares is given by the formula n(n+1)(2n+1)/6. The base case P(1) is established as true. The induction hypothesis assumes P(k) is true, leading to the need to show P(k+1) holds by simplifying the expression ∑^{k+1}_{i=1}i^{2} = ∑^{k}_{i=1}i^{2} + (k+1)². The final goal is to demonstrate that this expression simplifies to (k+1)(k+2)(2k+3)/6.

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Homework Statement



Prove by induction that the sum of the first n "squares" is n(n+1)(2n+1)/6
In other words prove ([itex]\forall[/itex]n) P(n) where P (n) is [itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{n}_{i=1}[/itex]¡[itex]^{2}[/itex]=[itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex]

Homework Equations


This is just not clicking for me right now. I have no idea if i am just epic failing at factoring or doing something else wrong.


The Attempt at a Solution


I did the base case and proved P (1) true easily enough.
Induction case: suppose P (k), then [itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{k}_{i=1}[/itex]i[itex]^{2}[/itex]=[itex]\frac{k (k+1)(2k+1)}{6}[/itex] show P (k+1) is true, then ∑[itex]^{k+1}_{i=1}[/itex]i[itex]^{2}[/itex]=[itex]\frac{(k+1)(k+1)(2k+1)}{6}[/itex]

[itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{k+1}_{i=1}[/itex]i[itex]^{2}[/itex]=[itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{k}_{i=1}[/itex]i[itex]^{2}[/itex]+(k+1)[itex]^{2}[/itex]
=[itex]\frac{k (k+1)(2k+1)}{6}[/itex] + (k+1)[itex]^{2}[/itex]

Now i know i need to get itto work out to the [itex]\frac{(k+1)(k+1)(2k+3)}{6}[/itex] but i can't manage to get itto work out at all.
 
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mikky05v said:

Homework Statement



Prove by induction that the sum of the first n "squares" is n(n+1)(2n+1)/6
In other words prove ([itex]\forall[/itex]n) P(n) where P (n) is [itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{n}_{i=1}[/itex]¡[itex]^{2}[/itex]=[itex]\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/itex]

Homework Equations


This is just not clicking for me right now. I have no idea if i am just epic failing at factoring or doing something else wrong.

The Attempt at a Solution


I did the base case and proved P (1) true easily enough.
Induction case: suppose P (k), then [itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{k}_{i=1}[/itex]i[itex]^{2}[/itex]=[itex]\frac{k (k+1)(2k+1)}{6}[/itex] show P (k+1) is true, then ∑[itex]^{k+1}_{i=1}[/itex]i[itex]^{2}[/itex]=[itex]\frac{(k+1)(k+1)(2k+1)}{6}[/itex]

[itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{k+1}_{i=1}[/itex]i[itex]^{2}[/itex]=[itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{k}_{i=1}[/itex]i[itex]^{2}[/itex]+(k+1)[itex]^{2}[/itex]
=[itex]\frac{k (k+1)(2k+1)}{6}[/itex] + (k+1)[itex]^{2}[/itex]

Now i know i need to get it to work out to the [itex]\frac{(k+1)(k+1)(2k+3)}{6}[/itex] but i can't manage to get itto work out at all.

You mean you need to work it out to ##\frac{(k+1)(k+\color{red}2)(2k+3)}{6}##. You just need to continue with the algebra. Add up those two terms and simplify it by factoring out ##k+1##.
 
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Oh gees you that's probably what my problem was, thank you sometimes you just need another set of eyes.
 

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